Motor-controller.



PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907. L. L. TATUM. MOTOR CONTROLLER. APPLIOATION nun) AUG. a1, 1906.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1,

No. 870,596. PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907. L. L. TATUM. MOTOR CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I Smvemkcw 'Le/Wi a Liv/Yum UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS LL TATL'BL'OF NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO ALLIS-OHALMERS COMPANY, A OORPO' RATIOS OF NEW JERSEY, AND THE BULLOCK ELECTRIC MANUEAGTURING'COMPANY, A

CO ltlO RATION O F OHIL'O.

MOTOR-CONTROLLER.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented. Nov. 12, 1907.

Application finaau m 31,1906. Serial No. 332.728. 7

To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, Lswis L. TATUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwood, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to controllers for electric motors and particularly to controllers for starting'and regulating polyphase, rotor-wound induction motors.

The object of my inventionis to provide a simple compact and inexpensive controller for use with heavy currents or high voltages, which shall be capable of sure operation with greatly reduced labor. I

Heretofore controllers for heavy'currents have either had large sliding contacts undergreat spring pressure, in which case the labor of operating the controller was excessive, or else have used solenoid switches under the control of a master controller, in which case there were losses of energy in the solenoids and great complica tions in the system of wiring. With my invention the great labor of operation, the energy loss in the solenoids and the complicated wiring of the controlling circuits are all avoided and the contacts of the controller are positively Closed with a firm contact and positively and widely opened witli a quick break, thereby being able to carry a heavy current Qfelyand at the same time firm contact is secured. The operating mechanism may be of a small radius, but the switches controlled thereby may be arranged on a much larger radius. Arcing at the contacts may be reduced by having some or all of the switches immersed in oil. In addition the controller is simple in operation and construction, coinpact in form and inexpensive to manufacture. In carrying out my invention I employ a plurality of oil imrotated in one direction, and the'corresponding switches of the group, simultaneouslyopened and the different switches of each group successively opened by others of the camsas'the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

thecombination with a rotatable shaft of a plurality of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of oil immersed switches arranged to be closed by some of said cams and opened by others of said cams as the shaft is rotated.

mating-current motor, a resistance in the rotor circuit of themotor, a' pluralityof oil switches each arranged to short circuit a portion of said resistance, a rotatable shaft a pair of cams on said shaft so arranged that one of is rotated in one direction and the other cam opens said switches as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

Still more specifically my invention comprises a three-phase induction motor, a Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, agroup. of oil immersed switches as,-

shait, and a pair of cams on said shalt for each group of switches, one of each pair of cams being arranged to close its associated switches successively when the of cams being arranged to open -said switches successively as the shaft isrotated in the other direction, corresponding'switchesof the various groups being operated simultaneously. 3

Figure 1 is an elevation of D'lY COIItIU llM with half of the controller casing removed. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. '1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing only one switchof a group immeised in oil; and

applied to a threephase induction motor.

In the drawings A is a controller casing in which is journaled a shaft Boperated by the usual handle B Fixed to the shaft as by pins!) are cams C, .0 D, D, and E, FF, arranged in pairs. If desired the cams may be provided with antifrictionrollers at their ends, The cams C, D and E are arranged vertically in line, the cams C D and E being arranged in another vertical line. These two lines of cams are angularly displaced from each other. v I

llountcd'on the casing are groupsof switches P, P P, P; Q, Q, Q,]Q*; and R R R, R, the switches of each group as P, P, P and P being horizontally in line and the corresponding switches of. the difierent groups as P, Q and B. being verticallyin line.. Each of these switches is arranged to be operated by a toggle S, S the toggles in turn being operated by the cams C, C etc. As the shaft B ;is rotatedthe cams engage the arms either above or below the pivotal points of the In another aspect my invention consists ofan alter-- sociated with each section of said resistance, a rotatable shaft is rotated in one direction, the other of each pair Fig. 5 is a diagram of connections showing my invention.

From another point of View my invention consists ofsaid cams closes saidswitches successively as the shaft laltter; engagement below the pivotal points, as by ca ms C D andE', straightening the toggles and closing the' Switches shown y Switches. Q, Pu in Fig. 1-, and

engagement above the pivotal'points; as by camsC, D" and E tripping the switchesby th wing the toggles out of line and allowing the switchesto be opened with a snap by a spring S. The switches P, d and R- are shownopen in Fig. 1. When th e' switches are closed the arms S, S of the toggle are moved a little beyond alinement, so that the switches will be loclced closed,v too great a movement in this'direction being prevented by fingers s on arms S. In closing the switch the first-pint of the movement is against nopressure of the switch contacts, and the toggle then'needs and has but a comparatively small mechanical advantage, but When'the. switch contacts engage the toggle arms are nearly in line and the mechanical advantage .of the cams in forcing the contacts firmly together is very great. This gives a 20' od contact and saves labor on the part of the operator.

Each of the switches of the controller is mounted on a plate T suspended from a bracket'U which'in turn is supported by the controller casing. The bracket U also supportsa tankV containing 'oil in-which the switch is immersed. .T hese oil tanks may be removably attached to the bracket U in any desired manner. I

When the shaft is in off position; 1'. e., when it has been moved as far as it will go in an anti-clockwise direction, all of the switches are open. As the shaft is rotated ina clockwise direction the opening cams C D and E swing freely past the upper ends of arms S, doing nothing, but the closing cams C, D,' E, whi are but a small angular distance behind the openingcams engage the'lower ends of arms S, closing the corresponding switches of the various groups as P, Q. and" R, simultaneously, and the different switches of'the same group as P, P P and P successively. As the shaitis rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the re- .verse action takes place, the closing cams first passing the arms S doing nothing, and the opening cams following and engaging the upper parts otarms S tosimultaneously trip corresponding switohestof the various g oups, and successively trip the'different switches of the same group; 'When either the opening or the closmgcams operate the switches, theother set of cams is entirely out of the way so as not to interfere with the free action of the switches. a t It will not always be necessary to arrange thoswitche's in groups; corresponding switches of the groups being operated simultaneously but all of the switches could be arranged to be operated successively if it were so desired; I have shown and described my controller with groups of. switches however, because the controller is primarily intended to be used for starting and regulating inductionmotors, and especially phase induction motors.

In Fig. 5 is shown diagrammatically my controller threeappIied to. a three-phase induction motor. .The sup-. ply mains arerepresen-ted by 1, 2.and 3, thev stator -by 4, 5' and 6, and the rotor by 7. The stator indings are here shown delta-connected but it is obvious thatother methods of connecting could be usedl Leading from the slip rings of the rotor are wires 8, v9 and 10 which lead to resistance sections 11, 1,2 and 13 spectively. The resistances may be connected. in

any desired manner but are here shown Y-conne'cted to correspond with the rotor winding. The method of'connecting the resistance depends on the' method of connecting the rotor windings, the two generally corresponding. Each section of resistance is associated with a group of'the switches o f' thc controller. The switch of each group of the controller switches P, Q and R is arranged to admit current to the stator winding of the motor and each of the other switches isnrranged to cut out a part of the resistance section associated with that group. When it is desired to start the motor, the controller being in off position'and the switch K being; closed, the controller is moved in a clockwise direction to first simultaneously close the switches P, Q and R to admit current .to the motor. The rotor circuit now has all the resistance 11 l2 and 13' in circuit. When the motorihas gained sufficient speedthe controller is'moved -'to simultaneously'closo the corresponding switches P Q and R to cut out parts of the resistance sections. As the motor gains speed the controller is moved to cut out more and more resistance until finally by closing switches PQQ and Rf all of the resistance is cu tout. When the controller is moved the other direction the switches are opened totcut in the resistance byth'e opening of r 'thes witch'es P, Q and R tostop the It is not i absolutely necessary to, close corresphnding switches:

. of the various groups simultaneously but it is better" to do in order to keep thehystembalanced. A

- In 4 an arrangementissliqwn inwhich only one of each group of switches jaimmersed' in oil.

view is similar to Fig. 3 and shows switch Q"'in' 'oilin' the tank V'while the switchefQ, Q and Q are not 'oil immersed. -.This the'constructionoithe controller tosome extentandinayioftenbe advan tageous especially with tlieQsystam-JSF connections as, shownin Fig. 5, where the switches P, Q ,and'R con 'trol the main circuit aiidf aro compelled carryia large current and to be insulated-tor high voltages, while .the other switches only"shortcircuit'sections of tion.

the resistance and often do not require any oil' insula- I have descrlbedmy invention in what I nowconsider to be its preferred form butit is not limited to the precise structure shown and described. It is ob-' vio'us that many cquivalents'maybe substituted for the various parts here showman d despribcdwithout de-.

partingfrom thespirit and sec e of my invention, and I claim all'such obvious mod' jcations as'fall thereun- What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent iszp V 1. Ina controller, a rotatable shaft, a cam on said shalt,

and a plurality ot oll immersed snap switches operated by sold earn as the shaft is rotated. 4

. :5. In a controller, a rotatable sha'tt, cams on 's'ald shaft,

and a plurality of oil immersed snap switches arranged to be closed by one of suld'cams imd opened by another of mild cams as 'the shatt is rotated in one dlrectlon orthe other.

' 3. In ai controller, a rotatable shaft, cams on said shaft,

and a plurality 0! oil lnir'nemd'tpggle switches arranged to be operated hyeach'ot saldi earns the shaft ll rotated. 4. In a controller, a rotatable'shntt, a plurpllty of cash:

on widths, and a plurality of ollllmmerled switches,

each cum being arranged to ope'i'ate (number-lot llld switches successively as the shntt'll 'rot'nted.

5. In a controller, a rotatable shattlijplurallty' of am on sold shaft, and a 'plur alltylot alt; immersed. lnap switches arranged to be closed successively by some of said cams and opened successively by others of said cams as the shaft is rotated. each cam operating more than one switch.

6. In a controller. a rotatable shaft, a plurality of cams on 'said shaft and a plurality of oil immersed snap switches arranged to be simultaneously closed by some of said cams and simultaneously opened by othersof said cams as the shaft is rotated in onedlrection or the other respectively.

T. In a controller, a rotatable shaft, a pait' of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of oil switches arranged to be closed by one of said cams andopened by the other of said cams as the shaft-ls rotated.

8. In a controller, a rotatable shaft, a pair of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of oil immersed snap switches arranged to be successively closed by one of said cams as the shaft is rotated in one direction and to be successively opened by the other cam as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

9. in a controller, a rotatable shaft. a pair of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of oil immersed toggle switches arranged to be closed by one of said cams and opend by the other.

10. in a controller. a rotatable shaft, cams on said shaft, and a plurality of oil immersed switches arranged to be operated by one of said cams on the shaft is rotated in one direction and by another of said cams as the shaft is rotated in ,the' other direction. I

11. in a controller, a rotatable shaft, a pair of cams on said shaft. an oil immersed switch, and means normally in the path of one of said cams and arranged to be moved by said cam into the path of the other cam as the shaft is rotated in the other direction, and to be moved by said other com into the path of the first as the shaft is rotated in the other direction/paid means operating the switch as it is moved.

12. In acontroller, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of groups of oil iur mersed snap switches, the different switches of the groups being arranged to be successively operated by said cums as the shaft is rotated.

13. In a controller, a shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, and a plurality of groups of oil immersed snap switches, the different switches of.thc groups being arranged to be succelaively closed by some of the cams as the shaft is rotated in one direction, and successively opened by others of the cams as the shaft is minted in the other direction. I I

14. In a controller, a shaft. a,plurailiy oi cams on said shaft, and a plurality of similar groups of oil immersed snap switches, corresponding switches of ihc groups being arranged to be simultaneously operated by file cums as the shaft is rotuicd.

if. in a controller. a shaft. a plurality of coins on said shaft. and a plurality of similar groups oi oil immersed snap switches, the corresponding switches of the groups being arranged to be siniuiialumusiy closed by some of the cams as the shaft is rotated in one dirrciion. and simultaneously opened by others of the cams as the shaft is ro fated in the other direction.

iii. in a controller, a shaft, u pluraliiy oi cums on said shaft and a plurality of similar groups of 'oil iuuncrscd snap switches. the corresponding suiichcs of the groups hciu'g simultaneously operated and the dill'creni switches of each group being successively operated by the cams as the shaft is roluiod'.

17. in a controller, a shaft. 11 plurality of cams on said simfl, and a plurality of similar groups of oil immersed snap switches, the corresponding switches of the groups being simultaneously closed and thcdiffereni switches of each group successively closed by ccrtnin of the cams as the shaft is rotated in one direction, and ihc corresponding switches of the groups bcing simultaneously opened and the different switches of each group successiwly opened by others of the cams as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

is. In a controller. a rotatable shaft. a plurality of groups of oil immersed snap sp'itches, and u-pair of cams on ihc shaft for each group of switches. one of each palr of cams being arranged to close its group of switches an the shaft is rotated in one direction, the other of each pair of cams being arranged to open its group of switches as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

11). In a controller, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of groups of oil immersed snap switches, and a cum on the shaft for each group of switches. each of said cams being arranged to operate its group of switches as the shaft is rotated.

20,-in a controller, a rotatable shaft. a plurality of groups of oil immersed snap switches, and a pair of cams on the shaft for each group of switches, said cams being arranged to-clole the different switches of their respective groups successively as the shaft is rotated in one direction and to open said switches successively as the shaft is rotated in the other direction. I

21. In a controller for induction motors, a shaft, 1 group of oil immersed switches for each current phase of the motor, ind a cam on the shaft for each group of switches arranged to operate the different switches of its group successively u the shaft is rotated.

'22. In a controller for induction motors, a ahaft, a

group of oil immeriod Iwitchs for each current phase of the motor, and a cam on the shaft for each group of switches arranged to operate the corresponding switches of the different group! simultaneously as the shaft is to ta ted.

23. In a controller for induction motors, a shaft, 11 group of oil immerned switches for each current phase of the motor, and a pair of cams on the shaft for each group of switches so arrangedthat one of each pair of cams closes its switches successively as the-shaft is rotated in one direction and the other of each pair opens its switches successively as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

24. In combination, on induction ruotor,a resistance in the rotor circuit of said motor, a plurality of oil immersed sun, switches, each arranged to short clrult'a portion of said resistance, a rotatable shaft, and a eam'on said shaft arranged to operate said switches as the shaft is rotated.

25. In combination, on induction motor, a resistance'in the rotor circuit thereof, a plurality of oil immersed snap switches, each arranged to short-circuit a portion of said resistance. a rotatable shaft, and a pair of cams on said shaft. so arranged that one of said cam closes said switches successively as the shaft is rotated in one direction and the other cam opens said switches as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

2G. In combination, a polyphase induction motor, a resistance for each phase of the rotor circuit of the motor, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with the resistance for each phase, each switch being arranged to short-circuit a portion of its associated resistance, a toiutable shaft, and a cam on the shaft for each group of switches arranged to operate its switches successively as the shaft is rotated.

27. In combination, a polyphaae induction motor, a resistance for each phase of the rotor circuit of the motor, a

. group of oil immersed snap switches associated with the resistance for each phase, each switch being arrangedto short-circuit a portion of its nfiuocifliod resistance, a rotatable shaft, and a cam on the shaft for each group of switches arranged to operate corresponding switches of the various groups simultaneously as the shaft is rotated.

28. in combination, a polyphase induction motor, a re slstance for each phase of the rotor circuit of the motor, a group of oil immersed soup switches associated with the ,resistance for each phase, each switch being arranlzed to short-circuit a portion of its associated resistance, a rotatable shaft. and a cum on the shaft for each group of switches arranged to operate corresponding switches of the various groups simultaneously, and the different switches of each group successively as the shaft is rorated.

25). In combination, a polyphase im iuetion motor, a resistance for each phase of the rotor circuit of the motor, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with the resistance for each phase, each switch being arranged to short-circuit a portion of its associated resistance: a rotatable shaft, and a pair of cams on the shaft for each group of switches, one of each pair of cams closing its associated switches successively as the shaft is rotated in I as the shaft is .rotated in one direction and opening said one direction, and the other of each pair of cams opening said switches successively asthe shaft is rotated in the other direction. o

30. In combination, a polyphase induction motor, a'reswitches simultaneously as the shaft is rotated in theotherdirection.

'31."In combination, a three-phase induction motor, a

Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each section of said. resistance, and means for operatlngthe different switches of each' group successively to gradually cut out said resistance. i

32. in combination, a three-phase induction motor, a, Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each section of said resistance, and means for operating the'corresponding switches of the various groups simultaneously to cut out parts of their associated resistance sections.

33. In combination, a three-phase induction motor, a' Y-connected resistance in its =rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each sectionof said resistance, a rotatable shaft, and cams on said shaft for opening or closing said switches according to the direction of rotation of said shaft.

34. In combination, a three-phase induction motor, a Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each section of said resistance, a rotatable shaft and a pair of cams on said shaft for each group of switches for closing corresponding switches of .the various groups simultaneously,

corresponding switches simultaneously as the shaft is rotated in the other direction.

35. In combination, a three-phase induction motor, a Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each-section of said resistance, a. rotatable shaft, and a pair of cams on said shaft for eachgro'up of switches, one of each pair of cams being arranged to close its associated switches as the shaft is rotated in one dircction,'the other of each pair of cams beingarrangedto open said switches succes sively' asthe shaft is rotated in the other direction. 36.111 combination, a three-phase induction motor, a 3Y-connected resistance in its rotor circuit, a group of oil immersed snap switches associated with each section of said resistance, a rotatabieshaft, and a pair of cams on said shaft for each group of switches, one of each pair of cams being arranged to close its associated switches successlvely as the shaft is rotated in one direction, the other .of each pair of cams being arranged to open said switches sucgessivelyas the shaft is rotated in the other direction, corresponding switches of the; various groups being operated simultaneously. 37. Ina controller, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of independent current-admitting switches and of resistance varying switches-arranged to be operated by said shaft in its rotation, said current admitti ng switches heing immersed'inoil."

38. In a controller, a. rotatable shaft, a plurality of switches arranged to be operated by the rotation of said shaft, and a separate oiltank for each switch.

.39. In a controller, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of switches arranged to heoperated by the rotation of said shaft, and aseparate removable oil tank for each switch. a In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses. Y I LEWIS L. TATUM.

'Witnesses: RUnY Ronmsou, Flinn .T. Kmsnv. 

